A grammar reference for middle-grade students shares accessible guidelines organized under such chapter names as 'Incredible Shrinking Words,' in a lighthearted guide that pairs English-language rules with whimsical instructional elements.

Martin Hilpert combines construction grammar and advanced corpus-based methodology into a new way of studying language change. Constructions are generalizations over remembered exemplars of language use. These exemplars are stored with all their formal and functional properties, yielding constructional generalizations that contain many parameters of variation. Over time, as patterns of language use are changing, the generalizations are changing with them. This book illustrates the workings of constructional change with three corpus-based studies that reveal patterns of change at several levels of linguistic structure, ranging from allomorphy to word formation and to syntax. Taken together, the results strongly motivate the use of construction grammar in research on diachronic language change. This new perspective has wide-ranging consequences for the way historical linguists think about language change. It will be of particular interest to linguists working on morpho-syntax, sociolinguistics and corpus linguistics.

The book introduces beginning university students of English to the study of English linguistics. The major difference between this book and its potential competitors lies in its hands-on didactic orientation, with a strong focus on linguistic analysis and argumentation. Language and linguistic theory are approached from a strictly empirical perspective: given a certain set of data to be accounted for, certain theoretical and methodological problems must be solved in order to analyze and understand the data properly. Thus, the theoretical apparatus is crucially developed in conversation with the data, and not presented as a set of given facts. After having worked with the book, the students should be able to use necessary methodological tools to obtain relevant data (such as corpora, dictionaries, experiments), and to systematically analyze their data and relate their findings to theoretical problems. The book is not written from the perspective of a particular theoretical framework and draws on insights from various research traditions. Introduction to English Linguistics concentrates on gaining expertise and analytical skills in the traditional core areas of linguistics, i.e. phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics. The final chapter on "Extensions and applications" widens the perspective to other areas of linguistic research, such as historical, socio- and psycholinguistics. Exercises and a glossary are also provided.

Product Description: Drawing on everyday telephone and video interactions, this book surveys how English speakers use grammar to formulate responses in ordinary conversation. The authors show that speakers build their responses in a variety of ways: the responses can be longer or shorter, repetitive or not, and can be uttered with different intonational 'melodies'...read more

Assuming no prior knowledge, books in the series offer an accessible overview of the subject, with activities, study questions, sample analyses, commentaries and key readings – all in the same volume. The innovative and flexible ‘two-dimensional’ structure is built around four sections – introduction, development, exploration and extension – which offer self-contained stages for study. Each topic can also be read across these sections, enabling the reader to build gradually on the knowledge gained. Introducing English Language: is the foundational book in the Routledge English Language Introductions series and offers a grounding to all the titles featured in the series gives comprehensive coverage of the essential aspects of the English language, as well as providing an introduction to key disciplines of linguistics such as historical, social and psycholinguistics, and also core areas in language study including acquisition, standardisation and the globalisation of English. uses a wide variety of real texts and images that include: a transcript of a conversation between George W. Bush and Tony Blair, a controversial ‘apology’ broadcast on BBC Radio 4, excerpt from novels including ‘Alien’ and photographs from Hong Kong. provides classic readings by the key names in the discipline including Guy Cook, Joan Cutting, Zoltán Dörnyei, Andy Kirkpatrick and John Sinclair is accompanied by a supporting series website with additional activities, project ideas for each unit, further guidance on areas mentioned in the book, suggestions for further reading, weblinks to essential English Language resources, and course templates for lecturers. Written by two experienced teachers and authors, this accessible textbook is an essential resource for all students of English language and linguistics. Visit the companion website at http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/reli/

Product Description: NOTE: This edition features the same content as the traditional text in a convenient, three-hole-punched, loose-leaf version. Books a la Carte also offer a great value; this format costs significantly less than a new textbook. Before purchasing, check with your instructor or review your course syllabus to ensure that you select the correct ISBN...read more

 The Wordsmith series is the value-priced option that students will appreciate while mastering key writing and grammar skills.   Pam Arlov wrote a textbook series that counters many of the objections students had about textbooks, such as: Students find textbooks dry and tedious. Arlov includes thought-provoking chapter openers, plenty of visuals, and a conversational, engaging writing style that students really respond to. Students find textbooks irrelevant to their lives. Arlov's coverage of the rhetorical modes is realistic and models real-life writing. She includes "Real Writing" examples in the modes chapters to make Wordsmith relevant to students' lives.  Students become frustrated if the entire text is not used in class. Wordsmith is 100 pages briefer than similar texts on the market and an affordable option. This more concise approach also does not overwhelm students with too much information. Wordsmith provides students with just the right balance of instruction and practice.

Backpack Writing  uses written instruction and visual tools to teach  how to read, write, and research effectively for different purposes in this concise version of the bestselling text.   Lester Faigley’s clear and inviting teaching style and Dorling Kindersley’s accessible and striking design combine to give writers a textbook that shows them what readers and writers actually do.  Unique, dynamic presentations of reading, writing, and research processes in the text bring writing alive  and speaks  to writers with many learning styles.  Throughout the book, writers  are engaged and learning, with such notable features as “process maps” to guide writers through the major writing assignments, extensive examples of student “Writers at work,” and diverse, distinctive reading selections.   0133890619 / 9780133890617 Backpack Writing with MyWritingLab with eText -- Access Card Package Package consists of:    0205846394 / 9780205846399 Backpack Writing 0205870147 / 9780205870141 MyWritingLab with Pearson eText -- Valuepack Access Card  

This innovative grammar text is an ideal resource for writers, language students, and current and future classroom teachers who need an accessible "refresher" in a step-by-step guide to essential grammar. Rather than becoming mired in overly detailed linguistic definitions, Nancy Sullivan helps writers and students understand and apply grammatical concepts and develop the skills they need to enhance their own writing. Along with engaging discussions of both contemporary and traditional terminology, Sullivan's text provides clear explanations of the basics of English grammar and a highly practical, hands-on approach to mastering the use of language. Complementing the focus on constructing excellent sentences, every example and exercise set is contextually grounded in language themes. Teachers, students, and writers will appreciate the streamlined, easy-to-understand coverage of essential grammar, as well as the affordable price. This is an ideal textbook for future teachers enrolled in an upper-level grammar course yet is also suitable for any writing course across disciplines where grammatical precision is important. Instructor materials accompanying the text provide teachers with activities designed for face-to-face, hybrid, and online instruction to enliven these basic grammar lessons as well as writing activities to integrate these concepts into students' own writing.